Budaj named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League announced today that Ontario Reign goaltender Peter Budaj has been selected as the CCM/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Apr. 10, 2016.

Budaj allowed only four goals on 111 shots over three games to help the Reign secure the Pacific Division regular-season title.

Budaj began the week with a 46-save performance – a personal high this season – in a 4-1 win at Stockton on Wednesday night, allowing the Reign to wrap up first place in the Pacific Division. On Friday, Budaj made 30 saves as Ontario defeated Bakersfield, 4-1, making him just the second AHL goaltender in the last 50 years to win 40 games in a single season. And on Saturday, making his 21st consecutive start in net, Budaj stopped 31 of 33 shots in a 4-2 victory at Bakersfield.

Named a First Team AHL All-Star last week, Budaj (41-14-4) leads the AHL in wins, goals-against average (1.74), save percentage (.932), shutouts (9) and minutes played (3,514) this season for Ontario, starting 59 of the Reign’s first 66 games. The 14th-year pro from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, has made 297 NHL appearances in his career and has a record of 125-107-36, including a victory in his lone game with Los Angeles earlier this season. A two-time Olympian (2006, 2014), Budaj was originally a second-round draft pick by Colorado in 2001 and played three seasons with the Hershey Bears before reaching the NHL.

In recognition of his achievement, Budaj will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Reign home game.